Important
It all starts here. Material determines whether your shorts dry quickly, breathe well, stretch, and hold up to months of daily wear. For hiking, you want a quick-drying, comfortable synthetic fabric with good stretch and breathability. Cotton is not hard. Apart from those basics, personal preferences matter. Some climbers hate the rattling sound of some ropes. Some find spandex blends feel sticky in the heat. Know what you can tolerate before committing to a pair of thousands of miles.
Fast drying
You will get wet, be it rain, river crossings, or sweat. Moisture-wicking shorts get heavy, bulging, and suffocating quickly. Quick drying fabric is non-negotiable.
Ventilation
Mesh liners breathe better than nylon. Shorts with side slits or mesh panels are more breathable than those without. On a hot desert day doing 25 miles, this is more important than any other feature.
Extend it
Mountaineering involves more movement than people expect: jumping over blowdowns, climbing rocks, crossing rivers. The slight stretch of the fabric means you won’t rip your shorts at any of those times. It is also better on long days.
A fenced system
This is more important if you are hiking than on a hiking day because your body will change. Many hikers lose weight, and shorts that fit in Southern California may need to be tightened in Oregon. The elastic waistband with drawstring is the most reliable system we’ve found. The buttons are off. The zippers failed. Strings and elastics can stretch over time as well, but they are the most forgiving options. Whatever plan you choose, make sure it can be strengthened as your body changes.
Inseam length
This comes down to your body and your preferences. If you have thick thighs, short inseams tend to ride up and bunch up. If you have long legs, a 7-inch inseam may sit higher on your thigh than it would on a shorter person. We prefer shorts that come in a wide range of inseam lengths so you can choose what works for your body rather than accepting whatever the manufacturer dictates.
Size range
Thru-hikers come in all shapes and sizes, and the outdoor industry still has a stake in this. We note the size availability of all pairs in our comparison table. The REI Active Pursuits are the only shorts we thought of that are available in women’s plus sizes. And we would encourage anyone to ignore gender marketing and choose whatever measurement system fits your body.
Strength
Many brands test shorts for day trips. We care that they hold more than 2,000 miles of daily wear, which is a completely different standard. We pay particular attention in each review to how the shorts performed in extended hiking use, not just first impressions.
Packets
It’s not necessary, but it’s worth thinking about before you buy. Some hikers rely heavily on shorts pockets for snacks, phone, or lip balm. Some find that the weight interferes with their mobility. Know which camp you are in.
Weight
Every ounce counts in the long run. The lightest shorts we’ve considered come in at under 4 ounces. If you’re counting grams, you have a few options. If pockets and durability are more important to you than shaving weight off your bottom half, there are options for that too.